Automatic golf caddy vehicle



May 27, 1958 J. M. LOVELL AUTOMATIC GOLF CADDY VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1954 INVENTOR. YJQ-C N. Love/l AITOIQA/A'Ks J. M. LOVELL AUTOMATIC GOLF CADDY VEHICLE May 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 12, 1954 mpg 72 @455 g i J ates AUTOMATIC GQLF ADDY VEHICLE Jae M. Lovell, New York, N. Y. Application April 12, 1954, Serial No. 422,516

2 Ciaims. (Cl. 18027) This invention relates to an automatic golf caddy vehicle, more particularly remotely controlled apparatus subject to control at the will of a golfer to provide him with the appurtenances necessary to satisfyingly play golf.

Golfers in the past have employed the services of a caddy to aid them in carrying their golfing equipment including golf clubs, balls, tees, clothing and possibly a light snack. Where a caddy is obtainable, difficulties dependent on the personalities and nervous temperament of the golfer and caddy were encountered. Aside from the psychological annoyances engendered by the presence of a caddy with his own personality, difficulties are also encountered due to the lack of caddies at many golf courses, making it necessary for the golfer to expend his energies in carrying his equipment rather than playing the game.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a mechanism serving the function of a golf caddy.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mobile apparatus adapted to carry a golfers paraphernalia.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile mechanism particularly adapted to traverse the terrain of a golf course.

These and other objects of the invention which will become apparent from the following specification and claims are achieved by means of a vehicle body having a carriage, particularly adapted to support golf equipment and also having a seat on which a golfer may ride, at his discretion. The motivating power for the carriage is subject either to direct control from the carriage or to remote control at a distance therefrom. Means are also provided which permit steering of the vehicle either directly or remotely as desired.

preferred embodiment of this invention will be described in the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side view of the automatic golf caddy;

Figure 2 represents a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a top view looking down on the rear axle of the novel mechanism;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the axle and motivating mechanism therefor.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the steering mechanism and its control.

Figure 6 is a front view of the steering mechanism.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of the circuit components of the remote control mechanism.

Figure 8 is a perspective showing of the command mechanism.

Figure '9 is a circuit diagram of a preferred decoder shown schematically in Fig. 7.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a golf bag support.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the construction here disclosed contemplates provision of an A-shaped chassis 10, comprising side members 11 and 12 and cross member 13. The side members 11 and 12 join to bushing 15. Along the side members 11 and 12, golf equipment compartments 16 and 17, respectively, are provided. These compartments comprise a floor member 18, side members 19 and 20 and horizontal retaining members 21,

and 22. Horizontal retaining member 21 may be provided with article holders 23, as best seen in Fig. 2.

In lieu of these holders 23 provision may be made in the compartments for supporting a golf bag, as best seen in Fig. 10. This is best done by provision of trunnions 25, pivotally supporting ring 26 between members 21 and 22 and having trunnions 27 supporting golf bag engaging ring 28. The inside diameter of this ring is such as to permit the body of a standard golf bag to pass therethrough but not the collar of the bag thus retaining the bag in position. It will be noted that since the bag is supported to swing either about trunnions 25 or 27 it will always be maintained vertically. Where the bag is of a smaller than standard size adapter rings may be provided.

The chassis may be provided with seat members 30 as desired. Obviously the cart may function equally well with or without these seats.

Supporting the chassis for locomotion are rear wheels 41 and 42 having tires 43. These tires are provided with spaced protuberances adapted to increase frictional engagement in soft terrain. The wheels are rigidly mounted on axle 50 rotatably supported in bearings 51 formed on extensions from the A frame.

Resilient bearingmeans may be provided between the chassis and the axle to cushion the chassis. Rigidly fastened to the axle 50 and coaxial therewith are gears 52 and 53. Supported from the A-frame above axle 50 by means of plate 54 is motor 55 having pinions 56 and 57, engaging, respectively, wtih gears 52 and 53.

The front end of the A-frame is supported by steering Wheel 60, as best seen in Figures 1, 2 and 6, rotatable on axle 61 supported in steering fork 62, rigidly held in steering bar 63 and rotatably supported by bearings in bushing 15. Extending above steering bar 63 are provided vertical rods 64 and 65 whose function will become apparent from what follows.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, plates 66 and 67 are provided, vertically upstanding from the sides of the A-frame. On these plates and in line with steering bar 63 are provided spring elements 69 and 70 normally biasing said steering bar 63 into a position as shown in Figure 2 for direct forward motion. At the side of these spring members supported by plate members 66 and 67 are solenoids 71 and 72, respectively, which when energized serve to attract steering bar 63 against the biasing of springs 69 and 70.

Mechanical means are provided for moving steering bar 63 to change the plane of rotation of steering wheel 69. The mechanism for accomplishing this comprises cables 72:: and 7d fastened to the upper ends of rods 64 and 65, respectively. These cables extend through eyes 75 and 76 provided on the uppermost extremity of side members 29 on the A frame. At the end of these cables, handles 77 and '78 of a size precluding passage through the eye members are provided.

Provision for support of the electronic control equipment hereinafter to be described is made at the front of the A-frame as seen in Figure 2. Battery '82 connected through switch 83 to motor 55, and other elements requiring electrical power, are supported as shown in Figure 2.

Remote control equipment generally comprises some six elements. These elements are a command source or source of controlling signal, a coding device to convert the command to a transmittible signal, a transmitter for sending the signal from the signal source to the object controlled, a receiver at the object controlled, a decoder for converting the signal to power, and a translator for directing the power to achieve the desired function of the controlled object.

A novel arrangement of these elements has herein been a V V a 3 devised to provide for maximum simplicity and flexibility. It has been found that in view of the small distances over which it will be necessary to exercise control over the caddy, it is possible to eliminate several of the above men,-

tioned components. It has been found that for the short distances over which the control signal is to betransmitted in the instant use conventional electronic elements, constituting the above mentioned command source, coding device, and transmitter may be replaced by a simple audio frequency source or light source The simplification of apparatus at the command pointalso permits simplification at the control point. Thus, at the control point in place of the super-regenerative receivers conventionally employed,,where the control signal is a radio frequency, a simple microphone or light sensitive cell may be employed.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, structures employing audiosignals are disclosed. It is contemplated, however, that a light signal may readily be interchanged therewith, or for that matter any other wave transmitter.

As best seen in Figure 8, a whistle 90 having four distinct whistle chambers 91, 92, 93 and 94 is provided. The frequency of the sounds emitted by the whistle are at the top of the audible range, namely, between 15,000 7 and 20,000 C. P. S. so as to keep annoyance at a minimum. Thus, the only apparatus necessary for the golfer to carry with him in order to actuate the carriage is this small whistle.

The'apparatus which will be positioned on the chassis of the automatic'caddy to permit remote control of this caddy comprises a microphone 95, whose signal is amplified by conventional audio amplifier 96. The amplified signal is. then sent to decoder'97, wherein relays are actuated to permit the passage of current either to the solenoids 71 and 72 or motor 55. This arrangement is schematically illustrated in Fig. 7.

It is contemplated that the microphone 95 will be of amultidirectional type capable of picking up audio signals from whatever direction transmitted.

The amplifier 96 has been found to give satisfactory results where only a single amplification stage is provided.

In Fig. 9 is seen a circuit diagram of a preferred arrangement for decoder 97. The amplified signal, is fed to the primary 'of transformer 101 having an iron core 102. The secondary winding 103 of the transformer is In operation it is contemplated that the apparatus will be driven to the golf course by a driver seated in seat 30, who by means of switch 83 will actuate series motor 55 having a high starting torque, causing Wheels 41, 42 to rotate which in' conjunction with friction increasing protuberances 44 move the carriage. Steering is accomplished from the drivers seat by means of cables 73 and 74 which cause steering bar 63 to change the plane of rotation of steering wheel 60.

Once on the course the golfer stops the motor by means of switch 83, dismounts from the carriage, selects the desired equipment from compartment 16 or 17, and pro- 'cee'lds with the game. At the end of play on any given hole, he may direct the carriage to him by means of audio signal transmitter or whistle 90. Thus, if a signal of 15,000 C. P. S. is transmitted by blowing through whistle chamber 91, switch 83 is caused to move to the :on

position as a result of the amplified signal fed through the amplifier to relay 106 having a reed tuned to vibrate connected at one terminal to the grid of a triode 104.

at this frequency Steering is thereafter accomplished causing the carriage to steer to the left (as seen in Fig. 2).

Steering to the right is similarly accomplished by blowing through whistle chamber 93, transmitting a 17,000 C. P. S. signal.

motor 55 by means of an 18,000 C. P. S. signal transmitted from whistle chamber 94 actuating relay 108. When neither of the solenoids are actnated the carriage is biased to move in a straight line forward direction by means of springs 69 and 70 which bias the steering rod 63 to position the steering wheel 60, so that motion is only permitted in a forward direction.

It is thus possible to control from a distance the movement ofthe caddy. Obviously, the audio frequency command source and microphone may readily be replaced by a light signal and light sensitive cell to achieve the same results by a radio transmitter and receiver.

. Other uses for the cart may readily be envisioned as for example in connection with shopping expeditions, deliveries, lawn mowing and the like.

The above description has been given by way of exam: ple and not by way of limitation and it is contemplated that all the modifications within the scope of, the ape pended claims shall be protected. 7 i

What is claimed is; a 1 V 1. An automatic golf caddy vehicle, comprising an A-shaped chassis having forwardly converging side mem- V bers and connected to a separate chassis side member,

the equipment side members having lower ends located below the chassis and upper endsrlocated above the chassis, a floor member connected to said lowercnds, and a horizontal retaining member connected to the equipment side members adjacent the upper ends thereof; articleholding elements connected with said horizontal retaining members, bearing means connected to the rear. ends of the chassis side members, an axle supported by said bearing means, rear wheels carried by said. axle, a'steering bar carried by said bushing, an axle connected with said steering bar, and a steeringwheel carried by the last-mentioned axle.

2. Anautomatic golf caddy vehicle in accordance claim 1, comprising golf bag supporting rings pivotally mounted in said horizontal retaining members.

- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,596 Nilson Dec. 9, 1902 1,122,797 Osterhoudt Dec. 29, 1914 1,150,542 'Ryland Aug. 17, 1915 1,320,142 Hanson Oct. 28, 19.19 1,616,295 Yourteec. g Feb. 1,1927 1,794,690 Horni Mar. 3, 1931 1,955,371 Springfield .Apr. 17, 1934 2,176,469 Moueix Oct. 17,1939 2,368,953 Walsh Feb. 6, 1945 2,382,058 Hull Aug. 14,1945 2,424,288 Severy July 22 1947 2,463,972 Jackson Mar. 8, 1949 2,507,249 Dorazio May 9, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS t v 678,490 France Dec. 24, 1929 998,830 France Jan. 23, 1952 726,284 France Feb. 29, 1932 (Corresponding U. S. 1,951,505 March 20, 1934.)

474,432 Italy ..1.'..'.. Sept. 23, 1952 Once the carriage has reached its destination switch 83 is thrown to the off position, stopping 

